Raphia

June 22, 217 BC

Strategic Context
Antiochus III the Great inherits the Seleucid throne in 223 BC and undertakes a quest to
restore the lands lost in previous years. In 219 BC he turns against Egypt, under rule of

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Ptolemy IV, to ignite the Fourth Syrian War. Antiochus reduces fortress after fortress for
two years while Ptolemy rebuilds the decaying army of his empire. Ptolemy is desperate
enough to recruit native Egyptians, unused in combat for almost a century due to their
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rising nationalistic ambitions. With this uncertain force, Ptolemy gives battle to Antiochus
at Raphia, near the famed Gaza.

Stakes
+ A Seleucid victory would expose the
Egyptian empire to further conquest and
eventual collapse.
+ An Egyptian victory would check the
Seleucid advance and reestablish a
defensive line in Syria.

By Jonathan Webb, 2009

 Raphia, 217 BC
Strength

 Seleucids  Egyptians

 Antiochus III the Great  Ptolemy IV

 55,000  68,000 infantry

 7,000
infantrypeltasts  2,000 peltasts
 6,000 cavalry  5,000 cavalry
 102 war  73 war
elephants
 Well  elephants
Well

By Jonathan Webb, 2009

Mediterranean c. 218 BC
The battlefield consists of a flat, arid plain with no obstacles or features. However, flanking the battlefield off-map are low
sand dunes and drifting sands.

Seleucids N
(Antiochus)

Egyptians
(Ptolemy)
Antiochus
Antiochus
Antiochus
The andopens
presence
Egyptian Ptolemy
surges of
and deploy
forward with
Ptolemy
the their
the
Seleucid
battle
towitharmies
rest
his
leftan inattack
ofalready
his
wingsa standard
right wing
superior
are formation:
by toboth
take
his war
infantryinfantry
advantage
defeated
elephants at
thethe
by on center,
isofinvaluable;
Egyptian
superior cavalry
left
his right
heright on
wing’s
leads
wing. the
wings
his
Thewings,
disorder,
two
and
more and war
driving
infantry
driven elephants
it backwards.
numerousphalanxeson both
back.Seleucid
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Ptolemy’s
forward
war ahead
righttowing
Antiochusofalso
elephants the
defeat
main line
surges accompanied
forward by peltasts.
in accordance Both
with his commanders
orders strengthen
in the event their on
of collapse right
thewings, Antiochus’
left wing. with cavalry
The inferior andwar
Egyptian Ptolemy’s
elephantwith infantry.
force Antiochus
does not plansthe
charge until to
defeat
continues
the
use outmatched
his theirto
superiorEgyptian
personally
Seleucid
cavalry counterparts,
and pursue
war infantry the
elephants phalanx
which
to routed
win then
the Egyptian
outright.
retreat
battle on theThe
left
and
wings.wing
disrupt
Seleucid while
Ptolemy theinfantry
infantry
Ptolemy
plans
cavalry and infantry – carefully evading the Seleucid war elephants – drive the Seleucid left wing back. to userout
and
his extricates
from
cavalry
superior the formations
himself
battlefield
infantry from
phalanx of
to before
Ptolemy’s
the
win thesituation
Antiochus
battle left
at to
thewing.
take
can
center.
command
return
Antiochus from
andofPtolemy
his
hiscavalry
infantry pursuit.
position phalanx,
themselvesboosting
on opposingits morale.
wings to begin the battle.
Seleucids N
(Antiochus)

Symbol guide

Seleucids Egyptians
Phalanx Phalanx
Infantry Infantry
Peltasts Peltasts
Cavalry Cavalry
Egyptians
Seleucids
War elephants War elephants
(Antiochus
(PtolemyIIIIV)
the Great)
68,000 infantry
55,000
2,000 peltasts
7,000
5,000 cavalry
6,000
102war
73 warelephants
elephants Egyptians
(Ptolemy)
 Raphia, 217 BC
Casualties & Aftermath
Seleucids: Egyptians:

14,300 2,200
or or
19% 3%

The battle checked Antiochus’ advance into Egyptian territory but Ptolemy was
unable to fully exploit the victory. He was fully aware that his empire was
weakening, not becoming stronger, and opted to use the victory to reestablish
the defensive line in Syria, forcing Antiochus to look elsewhere for conquest.

By Jonathan Webb, 2009

 The Art of Battle:
Animated Battle Maps
http://www.theartofbattle.com

By Jonathan Webb, 2009